Thursday, June 30, 2016

10 features that will make you fall in love with Windows 10 - CNET

Still on Windows 8.1 and still wondering if upgrading to Windows 10 is worth it? 10 contains some great features that are sure to make you want to take the plunge. Plus, Windows 10 has a big update coming out this summer, with improvements to touch features, better voice control and a Windows subsystem for Linux, so there will be even more goodness to enjoy.









Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Twitch makes cheering exchange rate clear: one penny per bit for streamers

Twitch Feature Twitch announced Monday that users would soon be able to “cheer” their favorite streamers — in the form of expendable emoji purchasable with real-world money. Details were rather scarce so I pressed them — and then, almost certainly unrelated to that, the company provided more details. (It’s a penny per bit.) Read More

Glu debuts new Dash game with Gordon Ramsay

00000.MTSMulticam.00_01_57_28.Still001 These days, if a celebrity launches their own game, it is likely with Glu Mobile. Known for their free-to-play mobile games, the publicly traded company lists more than 100 games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, Guitar Hero and Deer Hunter. But since late 2014, the team has moved away from building known gaming titles to new personalized star-focused franchises. After topping… Read More

​Try Cortana commands on the Xbox One - CNET

Cortana is taking over the Xbox One when it comes to commands.

Five ways to delete yourself from the internet - CNET

Finally ready to get off the grid? It's not quite as simple as it should be, but here are a few easy-to-follow steps that will at the very least point you in the right direction.

9 essential IFTTT recipes for iOS users - CNET

From automated photo journaling to price alerts in your Reminders app, these IFTTT recipes for iPhone will keep you on top of everything.

Now that 'Game of Thrones' is over, here's how to cancel HBO Now - CNET

Cancel your subscription to the streaming service, and save some money until Jon Snow and co. are back on your screen.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

How to turn off this creepy Facebook feature - CNET

Ever wondered how Facebook comes up with some of your random friend suggestions? Turns out, it uses your phone's location along with other data.

Get friends or family on a group call for free - CNET

Conference-call services aren't just for business, and they're also not expensive. Here are two ways to get everyone on the line without spending a dime.

Save leftover herbs by freezing them in ice cube trays - CNET

Stop throwing away your unused fresh herbs. Before they start to wilt, use this tip to preserve them for months.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Remove rust stains from kitchen knives with vinegar - CNET

If your kitchen knives have started to gather rust spots, giving them a soak in vinegar will help restore them to their original shine.

10 New ways to use a power drill (other than eating corn) - CNET

Your power drill can do more than drill holes or drive in a screw. While using a drill to eat corn may be a little extreme, there are other ways it can add a little power to tasks that need a little elbow grease or just a fun twist.

How to post 360-degree photos to Facebook - CNET

Sharing regular photos with your Facebook friends is a thing of the past -- the future revolves around interactive pics.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Windows 10 Settings menu: The Update & security tab - CNET

Where's Windows Update? It's in the Settings menu...and only in the Settings menu.

What to do when your Apple Watch gets wet - CNET

Surprisingly, "Run in circles while screaming" is not one of the recommendations.

How to share Spotify Premium with your family - CNET

Spotify made it much more affordable to have your whole family on a Spotify Premium plan last month, but it didn't make the process of adding family members any easier.

Find out if your TeamViewer account has been hacked and what to do - CNET

Here are some proactive steps you can take if you're worried your account has been compromised.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

AutoLotto launches its mobile Powerball app

The AutoLotto app lets users buy, check and redeem winning lottery tickets via smartphone. Purchasing a lottery ticket is usually a simple thing. Maybe too simple. But holding onto tickets long enough to check the numbers and redeem any winners requires more effort than many would prefer. That’s where AutoLotto comes in. The startup has created a mobile app that lets users buy, play and redeem lottery tickets all on their smartphones. More than 166,000 users have signed up on… Read More

Friday, June 24, 2016

The Nintendo 64 turns 20 today

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 7: Product shot of Nintendo 64 game system and controller is photographed December 7, 1996 in New York City. (Photo by Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images) It was on June 23, 1996 that the Nintendo 64 made its debut — in Japan, that is. We wouldn’t see it on this side of the Pacific for another three months. But today is its proper birthday, and 20 years is a significant enough anniversary that we should probably just take a moment to remember just how awesome this console was — and is. Read More

Oculus removes hardware DRM that locked games onto its headset

Oculus An Oculus update posted today quietly removes a feature that blocked Oculus software from being played on other headsets — something that the community has been up in arms about for a month. The removal is essentially a mea culpa from Oculus, which over the last few weeks has faced hard questions from press and users about its strategy in locking down content to its own platform. Read More

Dropbox adds scanning to iOS app, changes camera uploads - CNET

With the Dropbox app, you can now scan documents using your iPhone or iPad. Changes are also coming soon to camera uploads for Dropbox Basic users.

Your router isn't as fast as you think it is. Here's why. - CNET

CNET editor Dong Ngo explains Wi-Fi speeds and helps manage your networking expectations.

The best IFTTT recipes for international travelers - CNET

Keep your documents in order and make sure your mom always knows where you are.

3 ways to estimate how much propane you have left - CNET

There are few things worse than running out of propane in the middle of grilling. Use these three methods of estimating how much propane is left to avoid a cookout faux pas.

​7 surefire ways to annoy your Instagram followers - CNET

There's an etiquette to good Instagramming. Here are the types of pictures you should avoid posting at all costs.

6 location-specific IFTTT recipes you should be using - CNET

Turn off your lights, mute your phone and text your significant other -- all by just exiting or entering an area.

What you need to know about using two SIM cards on the OnePlus 3 - CNET

Whether you're traveling overseas, or want to combine a personal and work phone number into one device, the OnePlus 3 makes it really easy.

Swarm launches Perks so you can get real-world rewards

perks-hero@2x For the last year, the team at Foursquare has been working relentlessly to turn Swarm into something fun. In many respects, checking in on Swarm is playing a game, and now the company is ready to reward you for your gameplay. Today the company launched Swarm Perks and Swarm Challenges, both of which are meant to offer real-world rewards to users. Let’s start with Perks. Swarm Perks is… Read More

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Slither.io is snaking its way on to homescreens

slither.io Slither.io is not new, but it is crazy popular. The game has been sitting at number one on the iOS gaming charts for some time. Slither.io has been available for just over three months now and, according to the most recent ranking, the game still holds the number one game, action game, and simulation game spots in the U.S. Apple App Store. It’s also the number six free app overall,… Read More

How to make your Galaxy S7 feel more like stock Android - CNET

One of the best parts of Android is the customization it allows for, and your Galaxy S7 is no different.

Use Honey to save money on Amazon purchases - CNET

This popular browser extension has a new trick up its sleeve, and it's all about Amazon.

10 features of Google Docs you should be using - CNET

Get the most out of Google Docs with these 10 tips.

How to set up, control Family Profiles with an Eero Wi-Fi system - CNET

A recent update to Eero added the ability to control the connection to specific devices through profiles, here's what you need to know.

Everything you need to know about Amazon X-Ray for TV shows and movies - CNET

Who's that actor? Who sings that song? Here's how to access the super-cool X-Ray feature nearly anywhere you're watching Amazon Video.

How to opt out of Adobe's ad-based data collection services - CNET

Adobe has more ad-based networks than you'll know what to do with.

6 things you should know about Minecraft Realms for iOS, Android - CNET

Microsoft recently updated the Minecraft Pocket Edition, adding online gameplay. Here's what you need to know to get the most out of the new feature.

Improve laptop battery life by switching from Chrome to Firefox - CNET

The results are in (again): Chrome consumes more power than other browsers. Here's how to make the switch to Firefox.

Give your boiled eggs a shake for easier peeling - CNET

Peeling hard boiled eggs can be an infuriating process. With this quick tip, you will be peeling eggs like a pro.

Facebook Live attacks Twitch with game streaming

Facebook Overwatch If people spend a lot of time doing something on the Internet, you can bet Facebook wants a piece. Its latest conquest attempt is the video game streaming business ruled by Twitch and YouTube. Today, Facebook announced its working with World Of Warcraft maker Blizzard to build social login and Facebook Live video streaming into their games, starting with its new blockbuster Overwatch.… Read More

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

HTC exec: exclusives are a bad idea for VR

HTC Mixed Reality Last week at E3, we had a chance to speak with some of the biggest names in VR, from Oculus to Sony — but that list that wouldn’t be complete without some input from HTC. The smartphone maker was, perhaps, something of a dark horse in the space, but its Vive headset has scored high rankings among industry stalwarts, positioning the Taiwanese for something of a renaissance at the… Read More

Tencent confirms deal to buy majority stake in Supercell from SoftBank for $8.6B

clash of clans It is finally confirmed: Tencent has announced that it has acquired a majority ownership of Supercell, the Finnish firm behind hit game Clash Of Clans, for around $8.6 billion. Read More

My Eye Spy brings every parents’ favorite car game to a phone near you

my eye spy I spy with my little eye… Something beginning with F! Is it Flowers? No. Fish finger sandwiches? No. A Fantastic Feast of Fun? Well, no, not quite, but almost. My Eye Spy launches today; it’s a new iOS app which brings every parents’ favorite child-distraction game to the iOS platform, making it possible to play with your friends, or random strangers on the internet. Read More

The Basslet wearable subwoofer delivers beats and basslines directly to your body

Basslet_02 I first tried on a prototype of the Basslet wearable subwoofer at SXSW 2016. Built by a Berlin startup called Lofelt and headed by CEO/cofounder Daniel Büttner and CTO/cofounder Gwydion ap Dafydd (ex-Ableton and Native Instruments leaders respectively) the Basslet has a strange appeal that I didn’t expect I would like and that I recognized as missing the minute I took it off. Read More

Monday, June 20, 2016

Contact CI’s Exotendon system brings touch to VR

Contact CI Sometimes the coolest demos at a convention are tucked away in the back corners, far from the bright lights and big booths industry stalwarts. One of the hidden gems of this year’s E3 arrives courtesy Contact CI. The small Cincinnati-based startup was showing of its developer kit for the first time at the event, featuring a complex glove designed to offer more lifelike VR… Read More

VR skateboarding at E3

D-Box Skateboard I’ve been skateboarding for longer than I care mention, and I still had to hold onto the damn railings. I’m going to blame it on the screwy sense of orientation one experiences in virtual reality, but it probably owes just as much to my fear of falling off a mechanical skateboard simulator in the middle of the crowded E3 show floor. The exhibit was created by D-Box to promote… Read More

Indie developers ditch controllers for real-life interactions

e3_2016-6150122 If there’s one thing E3 was not short of, it was controllers. Thousands of the things! Xbox controllers, Dual Shock controllers, third party controllers, motion controllers. But at Indiecade, an independent games showcase at the show, developers devised a variety of ways to play with no controller at all, making digital games charmingly analog. Read More

Oculus co-founders Palmer Luckey and Nate Mitchell on the state of VR

e3_2016-6140107 Before Oculus, most casual observers regarded virtual reality as somewhere between science fiction and novelty, fodder for cheesy 1990s films and overpriced, underperforming tech demos. Now it’s immediate and inevitable, and for those walking through the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center this week, entirely unavoidable. In the space of a few short years, the company has gone… Read More

10 tricks to make your summer better - CNET

These tips will keep bugs at bay, get rid of summer funk and keep you cooler.

Create your own air conditioning unit with this summer staple - CNET

This simple air conditioning unit can cool a small room or provide a cool breeze during your next camping trip.

The PlayStation 4 ‘Neo’ is real, but Sony won’t show it at E3

PlayStation 4 In an interview with the Financial Times, Sony Interactive Entertainment president and global chief executive Andrew House confirmed that the PlayStation 4 ‘Neo’ is real. But don’t expect to see it next week at the E3 conference in Los Angeles. House has said Sony doesn’t plan to unveil it at E3. Read More

10 things to consider when buying a router - CNET

If you're looking to upgrade your home network, these are the things you should know before buying a new router.

Apple WWDC 2016: How to watch and what to expect - CNET

Here's how you can tune in live to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote.

The gaming industry can become the next big target of cybercrime

gamethief Video-game-related crime is almost as old as the industry itself. But while illegal copies and pirated versions of games were the previous dominant form of illicit activities, recent developments and trends in online gaming platforms have created new possibilities for cybercriminals to swindle huge amounts of money from an industry that is worth nearly $100 billion. And what’s worrisome… Read More

HTC launches a $1,200 business edition of the Vive VR Headset

htc_vive_at_mwc Sure, everything will be all fun and games next week at E3, but right now HTC’s talking business. The company’s well-received Vive headset is getting its very own “Business Edition,” the Vive BE, which is targeted at companies interested in harnessing virtual reality for commercial purposes. The hardware, it should be mentioned right off the top, is pretty much the same… Read More

Get notified when the Amazon Echo goes on sale - CNET

Echo deals are few and far between. Here's how to make sure you don't miss the next one. (Or any other product you're hoping to snag on sale.)

The best Edge extensions - CNET

Or rather, all the Edge extensions you can try out today.

Copy your playlist from one streaming service to another - CNET

Free service Soundiiz can help you make the move from, say, Rhapsody to Spotify. There's just one small caveat.

Put a shutdown timer on your Windows desktop with this command - CNET

Postpone shutting down your computer with this quick and easy shortcut.

10 things to disable in Windows 10 - CNET

These 10 default features and settings can be disabled. Here's how and why you'd want to.

How to register to vote online - CNET

As this year's Presidential election gets closer, here's what you need to know in order to make sure you're registered to vote.

This app is killing your laptop's battery - CNET

Spoiler alert: it's Chrome. Find out how to curb Chrome's voracious appetite for CPU, memory and battery resources.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Nintendo talks mobile gaming, VR and its future at E3

Nintendo E3 Nintendo has never been afraid to go against the grain of prevailing industry trends. In fact, the refusal to follow the pack has become a defining aspect of the gaming giant’s business strategy during the ascendance of chief console competitors Sony and Microsoft. So it comes as no surprise, really, that it did something markedly different at this year’s E3 show. But just how… Read More

Five ways to take better selfies (without the stick) - CNET

Tired of blurry, badly framed, poorly lit selfies? Follow these tips to improve the quality of your personal portraits.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Use Android apps on Chrome OS right now - CNET

Feel like testing the Android waters on your Chromebook? Here's how.

How to customize the look and feel of the OnePlus 3 - CNET

After tweaking a few settings, you can make that shiny new phone look and work just how you want.

DIY phone camera lenses and filters - CNET

Use these everyday items to make your own phone camera accessories, including a macro lens and ring light.

Razer’s VR headset is designed for developers

Razer HDK2 The OSVR HDK2 was arguably Razer’s biggest E3 unveiling this year – but it was also kind of besides the point. Like Google’s Daydream announcement a few weeks back, this is a reference device, a way of showcasing hardware designed specifically to work with the company’s software. OSVR VR is Razer’s attempt to build a hardware ecosystem for virtual reality, away… Read More